Owner of Gus Deraco's Italian Sandwich Shop hopes to reopen soon

The owner of Gus Deraco's Italian Sandwich Shop hopes to reopen soon

A sign sits in the window of Gus Deraco's Italian Sandwich Shop on South 8th Street and reads "Thank you for your patronage the last 36 years! Look for us in the near future!" after the building was recently condemnd by the City of Lebanon. Jeremy Long -- Lebanon Daily News

A sign hung on the door of Gus Deraco's Italian Sandwich Shop on South 8th Street and reads "Order to vacate" deeming the building an "unsafe structure" by the City of Lebanon Department of Public Works. Jeremy Long -- Lebanon Daily News

The owner of a popular Lebanon eatery that was forced to close its doors earlier this month is hoping to reopen the business in a new location soon.

Sandra Wentzel, owner of Gus Deraco's Italian Sandwich Shop, said Tuesday that she hopes to reopen within the next week or two.

"We have a place in mind," she said. "We're negotiating as we speak.

"It's just taking longer than we thought," she added. "We thought everything would be ready by now, but it is not."

The shop had been located 27 S. Eighth St. but closed after city inspectors condemned the building in which hit was located in early April. The building, which is owned by Steven and Lori Dice, has a large hole under part of the foundation, according to city Fire Commissioner Duane Trautman.

Wentzel would not say where the new location will be but said it will be in Lebanon.

"We have such a great customers, and we want to stay close by," she said. "I was raised here in the city, and I love it here."

Wentzel, who ran the shop since 1994, said it was very upsetting when the building was condemned and the shop was forced to close.

"This wasn't supposed to happen," she said. "We were thinking we were still going to be where we were on Eighth Street. I guess everything happens for a reason."

Since the shop closed, Wentzel said, many customers have been expressing support.

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"They're giving us so much support, and I just appreciate that so much," she said. "My customers have been so nice about it. They're trying not to buy anyone else's subs. That's why I'm trying to get started as soon as I can."

Wentzel is the daughter of the shop's founder, the late Gus Deraco, who started his business in 1950. At first, Deraco ran lunch wagons at Cleaver Brooks, Bethlehem Steel and the Lebanon Steel Foundry.

He later operated out of his South Lebanon Township home and had several other locations before moving to South Eighth Street in 1978. In addition to the shop, Deraco's sandwiches were sold at area convenience and grocery stores.

Deraco, who was a popular sports coach and sponsor for several teams and sports organizations, retired in 1994 and passed away in October 2006 at the age of 84.

"We've been around a long time," Wentzel said. "We're really excited, and I can't wait to open up again."